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Premier League: What do Spurs Need in the Transfer Market?

That is a question which will deliver a multitude of answers depending on who you ask.

What I will say though is that, if there is one Premier League side which has impressed me since the thrilling end to the 2021-22 season, it is Spurs.

Fresh from sealing the fourth and final Champions League spot, they have acted in a way that previous bosses Mauricio Pocchetino and Jose Mourinho strived for but were not supported.

This time club chairman Daniel Levy, perhaps aware that he cannot afford to risk alienating the North London faithful again after previous errors of judgement, has backed the incumbent Antonio Conte and there’s a feel-good factor about Tottenham Hotspur once more.

For a start, the capture of midfielder Yves Bissouma from Brighton for £25 million plus add-ons has caught my eye.

The Malian international has signed a four-year deal and becomes the club’s third signing since Conte’s men secured Champions League football.

He impressed against them last term and could end up being one of the snips of the transfer window.

It was announced at the end of May that the club’s owner, ENIC, would put in up to £150m this summer, the majority for transfers, and Ivan Perisic and Fraser Forster have already joined.

Premier League: Ivan Perisic from Inter Milan joined Tottenham Hotspur
Ivan Perisic playing for Inter Milan against Sampdoria

Perisic may be 33 but he can play as a wing back and a forward and remains a class act.

He won Serie A with Inter Milan in 2021 under Conte after spending the 2019-20 season on loan at Bayern Munich where he lifted the Champions League.

Even with the season just concluded, he showed his worth with 10 goals and nine assists in all competitions.

Likewise, at 34, Forster is no spring chicken but will bring experience and know-how and is joining on a free transfer.

So, who is next and what do they need?

Well, whether Christian Eriksen makes a romantic return or not, another midfielder could go a long way.

Spurs have been linked with the likes of Weston McKennie (Juventus) and James Maddison (Leicester City) but don’t be surprised if they turn their attention to a man making a name for himself in Lique 1.

Linked with both Arsenal and Newcastle, Lucas Paqueta scored nine goals and registered six assists in 35 matches for Lyon last term with most of the Brazilian’s appearances as an attacking midfielder, although he can play centrally, on the right or up front.

That versatility may also endear him to Conte who will be keen to avoid a repeat of his 2017-18 campaign with Chelsea when, as defending champions, the club finished fifth and missed out on Champions League football – in their defence, they did win the FA Cup that season.

Another central defender, in the view of this SBOTOP writer, is also required for the Lillywhites who are currently placed joint third favourites with our Premier League betting odds.

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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.

It appears the first main gap is on the left-side of the preferred back three. RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol, Villarreal’s Pau Torres, Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi and Torino’s Gleison Bremer are reportedly all names on their shortlist. A move for Alessandro Bastoni is not entirely off the table as yet, although a move will prove difficult with the defender keen to remain at the San Siro with Inter.

Djed Spence has also been heavily linked with a move following his impressive season-long loan spell at Nottingham Forest. Middlesbrough are yet to receive an offer for the talented 21 year-old but Tottenham are expected to make their move soon with Borussia Dortmund interested as well.

And what of up front and the wonderful Harry Kane-Son Heung-partnership? With those two in tandem, an attacking signing may be more back-up than a regular starter but, if Gabriel Jesus is to be sold by champions Manchester City, Spurs should snap him up because, as a front three, they could potentially be mouth-watering full of Premier League highlights.

And one name linked a few times is Richarlison, the Brazilian who scored 11 league goals for Everton last term despite missing large chunks of the campaign through injury. The Toffees are supposedly keen on signing Harry Winks and that could prove key in negotiations.

Incidentally, how South Korean Son missed out on a place in the PFA Team of the season last year is beyond me – he made the XI selected by my colleague however – after he shared the Golden Boot and was generally a breath of fresh air.

There is work to be done then.

Conte will still need some more incomings, as well as some outgoings, so he can end up with his strongest possible squad for the tough pre-season and more importantly, the start of the 2022/23 campaign.

They’ve made a damn good start though!


 

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